USCCB News Release

10-008
January 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Priest Offers 'Ten Things That Promote Vocations' In Honor Of National Vocation Awareness Week

WASHINGTON—The Catholic Church celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week January 10-16. To encourage Catholics to foster vocations, Father David Toups, interim director of the Office of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers “Ten Things” Catholics can do to promote vocations to priesthood and religious life.

The first five steps on this list are directed toward all Catholics. The second five are specifically an invitation to younger Catholics to consider saying “yes” to a religious vocation. The list follows:

Ten Things That Promote Vocations
By Father David Toups

For all Catholics:

Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Jesus says in Matthew 9:38 “to beg the master of the harvest to send laborers into the vineyard.” If we want more priests, sisters and brothers, we all need to ask.

Teach young people how to pray. Pope Benedict XVI said that unless we teach our youth how to pray, they will never hear God calling them into a deeper relationship with Him and into the discipleship of the Church.

Invite active young adults and teens to consider a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life. A simple, sincere comment should not be underestimated. An easy way to do this can be remembered by four letters: ICNU. “John, I see in you (ICNU) the qualities that would make a good priest, and I want to encourage you to pray about it.” It is a non-invasive way to encourage openness to a religious vocation.

Make it attractive. Show the priesthood for what it truly is – a call to be a spiritual father to the whole family of faith. Similarly, the consecrated life for a young woman is a call to be united to Christ in a unique way, and to be a spiritual mother to those she encounters in her life and service. The challenge for priests and religious is to be joyful models of their vocations.

Preach it, brother! Vocations must be talked about regularly if a “vocation culture” is to take root in parishes and homes. This means, first and foremost, the people need to hear about vocations from priests through homilies, prayers of the faithful, and discussions in the classroom. Vocations kept out of sight are out of mind.

For those considering a vocation:

Practice the faith. We all need to be reminded that the whole point of our lives is to grow in a deep, intimate and loving relationship with God. This is the first step for any young person desiring to discern any call in life.

Enter into the Silence. Silence is key to sanity and wholeness. We can only “hear” the voice of God if we are quiet. Take out the ear buds of your iPhone, iPod, and iTunes and listen to God, the great I AM. Young people should try to spend 15 minutes of quiet prayer each day – this is where you can begin to receive clear direction in your lives.

Be a good disciple. Some bishops say, “We do not have a vocation crisis; we have a discipleship crisis.” Young people can become true followers of Jesus Christ by serving those around them. By discovering your call to discipleship, you also discover your particular call within the Church.

Ask God. Ask God what He wants for your life and know He only wants what is good for you. If, in fact, you are called to the priesthood or consecrated life, it will be the path to great joy and contentment.

In the immortal words of a famous sneaker manufacturer: “Just do it!” If you feel that God is inviting you to “try it out,” apply to the seminary or religious order. Remember, the seminary or convent is a place of discernment. You will not be ordained or asked to profess vows for many years, providing ample opportunity to explore the possibility of a call to priesthood or religious life.

Highlighted on Zenit

10 Ways to Promote Vocations

US Bishops Encourage Silence, Prayer, Service

WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- In honor of National Vocation Awareness Week, the U.S. bishops' conference is offering a list of 10 ways to promote religious vocations.

Father David Toups, interim director of the conference's Office of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, prepared the list that was publicized today.

Among the suggestions are prayer, asking God in particular to send more priests and religious to the Church, and speaking to others about vocations.

Father Toups encouraged Catholics to reach out to young people, teaching them how to pray and inviting them to consider a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life.

"Make it attractive," he said. "Show the priesthood for what it truly is -- a call to be a spiritual father to the whole family of faith."

"Similarly," the priest continued, "the consecrated life for a young woman is a call to be united to Christ in a unique way, and to be a spiritual mother to those she encounters in her life and service."

Some of the recommendations were geared specifically to those who are considering a vocation.

The first step, Father Toups stated, is to practice the faith, to remember that "the whole point of our lives is to grow in a deep, intimate and loving relationship with God."

He wrote about the need to pursue silence, the "key to sanity and wholeness," the importance of living as disciples of Christ, and of asking God about his plans for each person.

The priest affirmed, "If, in fact, you are called to the priesthood or consecrated life, it will be the path to great joy and contentment."

The vocations awareness week began Sunday and will end Saturday.

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On the Net:

10 Ways to Promote Vocations: http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-008.shtml

PRAYING FOR PRIESTS

Almighty God and Father:

We prayerfully ask You to give Your Catholic Church holy priests: men of charity, goodness and prayer, good shepherds as they imitate Your son, Jesus. Through the prompting of Your grace may they always realize that they are your chosen ones, called by name.

Comfort them more dearly when they are discouraged, lonely or greatly beset by the temptations of the evil one. Help them in their troubles to know that they are Your holy anointed ones, that with You they can do all things.

We ask this for Your priests in the world, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, the first and eternal priest. Amen.

Mary, Queen of the Apostles, intercede for our priests..

St. John Vianney, pray for all priests.

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